Systems, Devices, and/or Methods for Managing Traffic

ABSTRACT

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, and/or manufacture comprising a traffic separating median barrier comprising: a barrier body having a substantially uniform cross section along a longitudinally extending direction, said barrier body defining a body length extending along said longitudinally extending direction, a body width orthogonal to said body length, and a body height orthogonal to said body length and said body width, said barrier body terminating in a first barrier end region and a second barrier end region, said first barrier end region comprising a female interlocking structure attached to said barrier body, said second barrier end region comprising a male interlocking structure attached to said barrier body, said female interlocking structure adapted to interlock with said male interlocking structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A wide variety of potential practical and useful embodiments will bemore readily understood through the following detailed description ofcertain exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanyingexemplary drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a left end view of an exemplary barrier, illustrating anexemplary female interlocking structure;

FIG. 1B is a side view of the exemplary barrier shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a right end view of the exemplary barrier shown in FIG. 1A,illustrating an exemplary male interlocking structure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the exemplary male and female interlockingstructures and an exemplary interconnecting structure between theexemplary male and female interlocking structures;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the exemplary male and female interlockingstructures and an exemplary interconnecting structure between theexemplary male and female interlocking structures;

FIG. 4 is a plan cross-sectional view taken at section A-A of FIG. 1Band showing an exemplary male interlocking structure of one exemplarybarrier interlocked with an exemplary female interlocking structure ofan adjacent exemplary barrier;

FIGS. 5A and 5B show side and plan views, respectively, of an exemplarymale interlocking structure;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show side and plan views, respectively, of an exemplaryfemale interlocking structure;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an exemplary group of connected exemplarybarriers; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of an exemplary group of connected exemplarybarriers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Median barriers, which typically are relatively heavy devices that arefrequently utilized for separating lanes of traffic from other lanes oftraffic, construction work, etc. The barriers typically must besufficiently heavy such that, if accidentally contacted by a movingvehicle, they will prevent the moving vehicle from leaving its lane,thereby protecting construction workers, pedestrians, and/or other lanesof traffic on the other side of the median barrier.

Pre-cast reinforced concrete can be used to form median barriers. Yet tobe most effective, there is a need to ensure that vehicles generallycannot pass through or substantially move a median barrier and therebycreate a hazard to the adjacent lane of traffic, constructions workers,pedestrians, etc.

Median barriers can have certain resistance to movement caused by theweight of the barrier and the static coefficient of friction between thelower surface of the barrier and the roadway and/or other surface uponwhich the barrier is located. Because this coefficient of friction isgenerally fixed, the resistance to lateral movement is generallyproportional to the weight of the barrier. For the convenience ofconstruction crews, temporary barriers are often constructed with alength on the order of 12 feet, although longer or shorter barriers canbe provided if the need arises (if, for example, it were necessary tohave barriers around a very sharp curve, shorter barriers might permitthe outer edge of the curve to be lined with barriers without thebarriers intruding on the roadway). Unfortunately, as a barrier becomessmaller, its weight typically becomes less and, thus, its resistance tolateral movement becomes less. This can create challenges when a needarises for both a resistance to impact-generated movement and anon-linear grouping of barriers.

One answer to the problem of barriers being shifted under vehicle impactis to involve the weight and mass of adjacent barriers such that severaladjacent barriers must be moved in the event of a vehicle impact,thereby providing greater resistance to lateral movement of the struckbarrier. Exemplary embodiments of such an approach are described here,where similar exemplary structures are similarly numbered among thevarious figures in the drawings.

FIG. 1B is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a precast concretebarrier 10, showing longitudinally-extending top face 61,longitudinally-extending bottom face 62, end face 63, and end face 64.FIG. 1A is a side view of an exemplary female interlocking structure 14on one end of barrier 10, and showing longitudinally-extending sidefaces 65 and 66. FIG. 1C is an end view of the other end of the barrierin FIG. 1B showing an exemplary male interlocking structure 12 locatedthereon. Depicted in phantom lines are an exemplary connection structurefor interconnecting the male interlocking structure 12 with the femaleinterlocking structure 14 internal to barrier 10.

Barrier 10 can be constructed of reinforced concrete having a minimumcompressive strength at the age of approximately 28 days ofapproximately 4,000 psi. Reinforcement in barrier 10 can conform to ASTMA615, Grade 60. The standard length for an exemplary barrier can beapproximately 12 feet with the male portion protruding from the end ofthe barrier by approximately 1⅞ (1.875) inches. The width of the body ofthe exemplary barrier shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C can be approximately 24inches and the height can be approximately 32 inches. The body can becast directly and/or in multiple units. For example, if a length lessthan approximately 12 feet be desirable, such length can be castdirectly, and if a section longer than approximately 12 feet be needed,it can be cast as one unit, or as two or more units.

The interrelationship of an exemplary male interlocking structure 12 andan exemplary female interlocking structure 14 with a respectiveexemplary barrier 10 is shown in FIG. 4 . As can be seen, either themale end of an elevated leftmost barrier or the female end of anelevated right-hand barrier can be lowered vertically so as tointerengage the web 20 and flange 22 of male interlocking structure 12with the slot 30 and tube 26 of female interlocking structure 14. Asshown, in certain exemplary embodiments, there can be a gap and/orseparation of approximately 0 inches to approximately 4 inches,including all values (e.g., approximately 0.76, 1, 1.252, 1.5, 2, etc.,inches) and subranges therebetween, between barriers when the barriersare pulled as far apart as possible while in the interconnected state.This gap can permit one barrier to be canted with respect to another soas to permit a curve in a line of barriers without disengaging theinterlocking portions of the barriers. Furthermore, the barriers cancontinue to form a structural interconnection between adjacent barrierswhen forming a curve or other non-linear pattern along a roadway,median, etc. This spacing also can permit barriers to be interengagedand/or interlocked when there is a vertical displacement, i.e., the lineof barriers begins to go up and/or over a hill and/or otherwiseencounters a change in grade and/or elevation.

Male interlocking structure 12 and female interlocking structure 14 canbe respectively interconnected internally to barrier 10. FIGS. 2 and 3show these interlocking structures. Each of reinforcing bars 40 and 42can comprise a section of, for example, number 5 or number 6 rebarmeasuring approximately 11 foot 8 inches. Note that the number ofreinforcing bars shown in the drawings is conceptual only, and theactual number implemented in a particular barrier can depend on thedesign requirements of that barrier.

These interconnecting reinforcing bars 40 and/or 42 can be welded toanchor bars 24 and 28 that can be connected to male interlockingstructure 12 and female interlocking structure 14, respectively. Notethat the number of anchor bars shown in the drawings is conceptual only,and the actual number implemented in a particular barrier can depend onthe design requirements of that barrier. In certain exemplaryembodiments, interconnecting rebar 40 and/or 42 merely can be wired tobe substantially adjacent corresponding anchor bars 24 and/or 28 asshown in the phantom lines of FIGS. 1A and 1B. This can facilitateprecise alignment of male interlocking structure 12 and/or femaleinterlocking structure 14 while the concrete is poured and/or cured. Theoverlap in which interconnecting reinforcing bars 40 and/or 42 coextendwith anchor rods 24 and/or 28 of male interlocking structure 12 and/orfemale interlocking structure 14 can be equal to approximately 40diameters of the larger reinforcing bar, which can provide substantiallythe same structural strength as welding the bars together.

As shown in FIG. 1B, edges and/or major surface intersections (e.g., topface to end face, bottom face to end face, side face to end face, etc.)51, 52, 53, and/or 54 can be sharp, perpendicular, notched, angled,beveled, chamfered, rounded, and/or arced. By notching, angling,beveling, chamfering, rounding, arcing, and/or otherwise causing edgesand/or major surface intersections 51, 52, 53, and/or 54 (e.g., bybeveling (chamfering) and/or cutting back the intersections byapproximately 0.75 inches) to transition from thelongitudinally-extending major faces to the end faces of the barriers byother than perpendicular intersections, interconnected barriers 10 canhave greater freedom to be positioned at an angle with respect to eachother's longitudinal axis as measured in a substantially vertical planewithout substantial compromise of the strength and/or crash-worthinessof barrier 10.

FIG. 4 is a plan cross-sectional view taken at section A-A of FIG. 1B.As shown edges and/or major face intersections (e.g., right side surfaceto end surface, left side surface to end surface, top face to end face,etc.) 56, 57, 58, and/or 59 can be sharp, perpendicular, notched,angled, beveled, chamfered, rounded, and/or arced. By notching, angling,beveling, chamfering, rounding, arcing, and/or otherwise causing edgesand/or major face intersections 56, 57, 58, and/or 59 to transition fromthe side and/or longitudinally extending major surfaces to the endsurfaces of the barriers by other than simple perpendicularintersections, interconnected barriers can have greater freedom to bepositioned at an angle with respect to each other's longitudinal axis asmeasured in a substantially horizontal plane.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show the details of an exemplary embodiment of the maleinterlocking structure 12 comprising web 20 and flange 22, respectively.In certain exemplary embodiments, web 20 can have the form of asubstantially rectangular plate that can extend substantially verticallyfor approximately 6 inches to approximately 18 inches, including allvalues (e.g., approximately 7.5, 8, 10, 12, 13.75, 15, etc. inches) andsubranges therebetween, and/or can extend substantially longitudinallyfrom an end face of barrier 10 by approximately 2 inches toapproximately 8 inches, including all values (e.g., approximately 2.5,3, 3.75, 5.543, 6, 7.25, etc., inches) and subranges therebetween.Flange 22 can have the form of a substantially rectangular plate thatcan: be positioned substantially orthogonally to web 20, extend alongany portion of the substantially vertical length of web 20, and/or havea width of approximately 1 inch to approximately 3 inches, including allvalues (e.g., approximately 1.364, 1.75, 2, 2.5, etc., inches) andsubranges therebetween. In certain exemplary embodiments, web 20 can bewelded to flange 22 to form a “T” shape (although the combination can becast, forged, and/or otherwise machined in one substantially monolithicpiece).

Welded to web 20 can be a number of anchoring bars 24 that can serve toaid in anchoring web 20 in the end of concrete barrier 10. Reinforcingbars 24 can be, for example, number 6 A706 rebar. In the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the rebar can measure fromapproximately 2 feet to approximately 5 feet in length, including allvalues (e.g., 2.5, 2.78, 3, 3.777, 4, etc., feet) and subrangestherebetween, and/or can be welded to the web 20 where it is in contacttherewith. Web 20 and/or flange 22 can measure approximately one-halfinch thick and/or can be standard steel, e.g., A36 (FYE close 36 ksi),structural steel, and/or high strength structural steel, e.g., A500 (FYEclose 39 ksi).

Referencing FIGS. 6A and 6B, female interlocking structure 14 can be atube 26 which can have any desired cross-sectional shape (e.g.,triangular, square, rhomboid, rectangular, hexagonal, round, etc.), canbe constructed of structural steel, can measure, for example,approximately one-half inch thick and approximately 4 inches square, canextend for a predetermined portion of the height of the barrier, and/orcan be positioned in a predetermined position with respect to the heightof the barrier (e.g., substantially centered, offset by approximately 2inches from center, raised approximately 10 inches from the bottomsurface of the barrier, etc.). The longitudinal axis of tube 26 can besubstantially orthogonal with the longitudinally extending direction ofthe barrier. Substantially parallel with the longitudinally extendingdirection of the barrier and/or affixed and/or welded to the sides ofthe substantially vertically oriented tube 26 can be sections ofanchoring bars 28, which can be approximately 2 feet in length.Anchoring bars 28 can serve to anchor tube 26 in the reinforced concreteof the median barrier. In the portion of tube 26 external to theconcrete material of median barrier 10 can be a vertically extendingslot 30 that can have a width greater than the thickness of web 20, suchas approximately 1 inch. The edges of tube 26 defined by slot 30 can beperpendicular, angled, beveled, chamfered, arced, rounded, etc.

In certain exemplary embodiments, flange 22 can be in the form of asteel structural tube having smaller outside longitudinalcross-sectional dimension(s) than the inside longitudinalcross-sectional dimension(s) of tube 26. For example, if tube 26 has acircular longitudinal cross-section with an inner diameter of 4 inches,flange 22 can also have a circular longitudinal cross-section, but withan outer diameter of less than 4 inches, so that flange 22 is free tomove longitudinally with respect to tube 26. As another example, if tube26 has a square longitudinal cross-section with an inner dimensions of 3inches by 3 inches, flange 22 can also have a square longitudinalcross-section, but with outer dimensions of less than 3 inches, so thatflange 22 is free to move longitudinally with respect to tube 26. Theintersection of web 20 with flange 22 would likely form across-sectional shape of other than a “T” shape in such embodiments.Nevertheless, because the width of slot 30 can be less than thedimension of flange 22 measured in the same direction, relativenon-longitudinal movement between the flange and tube of two interlockedbarriers would be substantially limited, effectively making the twobarriers substantially inseparable in response to vehicular impact.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an exemplary group of interconnected exemplarybarriers 72, 74, and 76, and shows that such barriers can form a curvein a substantially horizontal plane, that curve having, for example, aminimum radius of approximately 50 feet to infinity, including allvalues (e.g., 63.7, 85, 102.33, 125, 160, 200, 400, 800, etc.), andsubranges therebetween, when measured to the innermost surface (oroutermost surface if desired) of the barriers with respect to an axis ofthe curve. Thus, any adjacent pair of such barriers can form an anglewith respect to each other's longitudinal axis, as measured in asubstantially horizontal plane, of approximately 0 to approximately 15degrees, which is equivalent to approximately 0 to approximately 16.7percent, including all values (e.g., approximately 5, 6.1, 7.5, 8.04,10, 12.5, etc., degrees, and/or approximately 5.6, 6.5274, 8.5, 9,11.25, 14, etc., percent) and subranges (e.g., between 3.1 and 7.94degrees, 5 degrees to 10 percent, at least 5 degrees, greater than 6percent, etc.) therebetween.

FIG. 8 is a side view of an exemplary group of interconnected exemplarybarriers 82, 84, and 86, and shows that such barriers can accommodate agrade change (A) in a substantially vertical plane, that grade changehaving an angle measuring approximately 0 degrees to approximately 4degrees. Thus, any adjacent pair of such barriers can form an angle withrespect to each other's longitudinal axis, as measured in asubstantially vertical plane, of approximately 0 to approximately 4degrees, which is equivalent to approximately 0 to approximately 4.5percent, including all values and subranges therebetween, such as 2.75degrees, 3.8 percent, greater than 3 degrees, etc.

For any substantially identical pair of interconnected barriers, themaximum possible degree (or percent) of the angle between thelongitudinal axes of those barriers' bodies can be affected by anycombination of:

-   -   the primary materials, properties, and/or dimensions of barrier        10 and/or its components;    -   how far web 20 extends from the end face of barrier 10 (i.e.,        the longitudinally-extending width of web 20);    -   the dimensions, thickness, and/or height of web 20 and/or flange        22;    -   the position of web 20 and/or flange 22 with respect to the        major faces of barrier 10;    -   the dimensions, thickness, height, and/or position of tube 26;    -   the dimensions and/or position of the slot and/or space defined        by tube 20 in which web 20 and/or flange 22 can move;    -   the dimensions, position, and/or distance of male interlocking        structure and/or female interlocking structure with respect to        one or more longitudinally-extending major faces of barrier 10;        and/or    -   the technique via which, one or more longitudinally-extending        major faces transitions to one or both end faces of barrier 10        and/or the degree to which the otherwise perpendicular        intersections of such faces are angled, beveled, notched, arced,        rounded, trimmed, cutback, removed, and/or smoothed, etc.;    -   etc.

In certain exemplary embodiments, interconnecting bars and/or anchorbars can be mechanically connected, e.g., through U-shaped bolts and/orextending through holes in the structural tube and/or web to aid inconnecting the interlocking components to their respective ends of thepre-cast concrete median barrier. In certain exemplary embodiments,different numbers of interconnecting bars and/or anchor bars and/ordifferent sizes of bars can be used to maintain a secure connectionbetween the interlocking structures and their respective barriers.

In certain exemplary embodiments, different arrangements of webs and/orflanges can be used as long as the web can be inserted vertically intothe slots of the female interlocking structure and the flange is widerthan the slot so as to prevent disengagement in any direction other thana substantially vertical direction.

Median barriers constructed in accordance with certain exemplaryembodiments disclosed herein have met or exceeded, in independent crashtests, the Federal Highway Administration standards for median barriersand in particular the American Association of State Highway andTransportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware(MASH) Test Level-3 (TL-3). These tests confirm that certain exemplaryinterlocked barriers did not separate and/or become disengaged eventhough impacted by a 2.205 ton pickup traveling at 63.3 miles per hourat a 25.66 incidence angle with the barrier.

Federal Highway Administration approval of a barrier in accordance withcertain exemplary embodiments was granted on 17 Jul. 2009.

Thus, certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine,device, and/or manufacture comprising, and/or a method for creatingand/or using, a traffic separating median barrier comprising:

-   -   a barrier body comprised of an elongated concrete material, said        barrier body defined by a substantially uniform cross section        along a longitudinally extending direction, said barrier body        defining a body length extending along said longitudinally        extending direction, a body width orthogonal to said body        length, and a body height orthogonal to said body length and        said body width, said barrier body terminating in a first        barrier end region and a second barrier end region, said first        barrier end region comprising a female interlocking structure        attached to said barrier body, said second barrier end region        comprising a male interlocking structure attached to said        barrier body, said female interlocking structure adapted to        interlock with said male interlocking structure;    -   said female interlocking structure comprising a substantially        open-ended tube having a longitudinal axis extending        substantially parallel to said body height, said tube defining a        slot having a slot width substantially parallel to said body        width and having a slot height substantially parallel to said        body height; and    -   said male interlocking structure comprising a web having a web        thickness extending substantially parallel to said slot width        and measuring less than said slot width, said web extending from        said barrier end in a direction parallel to said body length and        attached to a flange having a longitudinal axis extending        substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said web and a        major surface extending substantially perpendicular to a major        surface of said web, said flange having a flange width greater        than said slot width;    -   a plurality of interconnecting rods, each of said        interconnecting rods connected to each of said interlocking        structures and extending longitudinally through said barrier        body;    -   a first plurality of interlock anchor rods, each of said first        plurality of interlock anchor rods interconnecting with one of        said interlocking structures and extending in said        longitudinally extending direction a distance of at least 40        diameters of said interconnecting rods; and/or    -   a first plurality of interlock anchor rods, each of said first        plurality of interlock anchor rods extending in said        longitudinally extending direction, interconnecting with one of        said interlocking structures, and overlapping an adjacent one of        said interconnecting rods by a distance of at least 40 diameters        of said interconnecting rods;    -   wherein:        -   for any substantially identical pair of said barriers, a            longitudinal axis of a barrier body of a first barrier from            said pair is capable of being angled horizontally by at            least 6 degrees, or vertically by at least 3 degrees, with            respect to a longitudinal axis of a barrier body of a second            adjacent barrier from said pair when a male interlocking            structure of said first barrier is interlocked with a female            interlocking structure of said second barrier by a web of            said first barrier extending through a slot of said second            barrier and a flange of said first barrier located within a            metal tube of said second barrier;        -   said concrete material is precast concrete;        -   said concrete material is reinforced precast concrete;        -   said tube is at least partially embedded in said concrete            material;        -   said web and said flange interconnect to form a T-shaped            cross-section;        -   said web height is substantially equivalent to said slot            height;        -   said male interlocking structure is comprised of metal and            said female interlocking structure is comprised of metal;        -   said male interlocking structure extends less than 18 inches            in a direction parallel to said body height;        -   said female interlocking structure extends less than 18            inches in a direction parallel to said body height;        -   each of said barrier end regions comprises an end face that            transitions to a longitudinal face, a top face, and a bottom            face of said barrier via a plurality of chamfers;        -   each of said barrier end regions comprises an end face that            transitions to a longitudinal face, a top face, or a bottom            face of said barrier via a corresponding chamfer;        -   each of said barrier end regions comprises an end face that            transitions to a longitudinal face, top face, or bottom face            of said barrier via a corresponding substantially beveled            edge;        -   each of said barrier end regions comprises an end face that            transitions to a longitudinal face, top face, or bottom face            of said barrier via a corresponding substantially rounded            edge;        -   said first barrier is incapable of separation from said            second barrier when interlocked therewith and subjected to a            vehicle impact load sufficient to otherwise move said first            barrier when not interlocked with said second barrier;        -   said barrier is adapted to satisfy all current crash test            requirements of the United States Federal Highway            Administration (FHWA); and/or        -   said barrier is adapted to satisfy all current crash test            requirements of the American Association of State Highway            and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing            Safety Hardware (MASH) Test Level-3 (TL-3).

Definitions

When the following terms are used substantively herein, the accompanyingdefinitions apply. These terms and definitions are presented withoutprejudice, and, consistent with the application, the right to redefinethese terms via amendment during the prosecution of this application orany application claiming priority hereto is reserved. For the purpose ofinterpreting a claim of any patent that claims priority hereto, eachdefinition in that patent functions as a clear and unambiguous disavowalof the subject matter outside of that definition.

-   -   a—at least one.    -   activity—an action, act, step, and/or process or portion thereof    -   adapted—suitable, fit, and/or capable of performing a specified        function.    -   adjacent—close to; lying near; next to; adjoining, and/or within        a horizontal radius of approximately 0.5 to approximately 6        inches of, including all values and subranges therebetween.    -   all—every.    -   anchor—(v) to hold, fix, and/or secure; (n) a device adapted to        hold, fix, and/or secure another.    -   and/or—either in conjunction with or in alternative to.    -   angled—forming or set at an angle    -   apparatus—an appliance or device for a particular purpose    -   associate—to join, connect together, and/or relate.    -   at least—not less than.    -   attach—to fasten, secure, couple, and/or join.    -   axis—a straight line about which a body or geometric object        rotates or can be conceived to rotate and/or a center line to        which parts of a structure or body can be referred.    -   barrier—a structure that impedes and/or obstructs free movement.    -   beveled edge—an edge of a structure that is not perpendicular        (but instead often at 45 degrees) to the faces of the structure.    -   body—a main and/or central part.    -   bottom—a lowermost point.    -   can—is capable of, in at least some embodiments.    -   capable—having the requisite structural qualities for.    -   cause—to bring about, provoke, precipitate, produce, elicit, be        the reason for, result in, and/or effect.    -   chamfer—(n) a beveled edge connecting two perpendicular        surfaces; (v) to cut a bevel on and/or shape to a bevel.    -   comprised—included in; a part of.    -   comprising—including but not limited to.    -   concrete—a hard, strong construction material comprising sand,        conglomerate gravel, pebbles, broken stone, or slag, in a mortar        or cement matrix.    -   configure—to make suitable or fit for a specific use or        situation.    -   connect—to join or fasten together.    -   connected—physically linked.    -   containing—including but not limited to.    -   convert—to transform, adapt, and/or change.    -   corresponding—related, associated, accompanying, similar in        purpose and/or position, conforming in every respect, and/or        equivalent and/or agreeing in amount, quantity, magnitude,        quality, and/or degree.    -   coupleable—capable of being joined, connected, and/or linked        together.    -   coupling—linking in some fashion.    -   crash test—a form of destructive testing involving vehicular        impact that is usually performed to ensure compliance with safe        design standards.    -   create—to bring into being.    -   cross-section—a section formed by a plane cutting through an        object at a right angle to an axis.    -   current—contemporaneous to the present time (i.e., as of the        effective filing date of the relevant priority patent        application).    -   define—to establish the outline, form, and/or structure of    -   degree—a measure of arcs and plane angles and representing 1/360        of a full rotation.    -   device—a machine, manufacture, and/or collection thereof    -   diameter—a thickness of an elliptical object.    -   direction—a spatial relation between something and a course        along which it points and/or moves; a distance independent        relationship between two points in space that specifies the        position of either with respect to the other; and/or a        relationship by which the alignment and/or orientation of any        position with respect to any other position is established.    -   distance—a measure of physical and/or logical separation.    -   each—every one of a group considered individually.    -   edge—an often sharp intersection of two, often substantially        planar, surfaces.    -   elongated—drawn out, made spatially longer, and/or having more        length than width.    -   embed—to implant, fix, and/or set securely and/or deeply.    -   end—an extremity and its vicinity of something that has length;        a terminus.    -   end region—a portion in the vicinity of an terminus.    -   equivalent—the same as, equal to.    -   extend—to reach spatially outward, stretch, cover, and/or span.    -   extending—existing, located, placed, and/or stretched        lengthwise.    -   face—a significant and/or prominent surface of an object.    -   female—a structure adapted to receive an corresponding extending        structure.    -   flange—a protruding rim, edge, rib, collar, tube, etc.    -   form—to create.    -   from—used to indicate a source.    -   further—in addition.    -   generate—to create, produce, give rise to, and/or bring into        existence.    -   greater—larger and/or more than.    -   having—including but not limited to.    -   height—a measurement of the extent of something along an, often        substantially vertical, dimension.    -   horizontal—parallel to and/or in the plane of the horizon.    -   identical—alike and/or very similar.    -   impact—to have an effect and/or influence on.    -   incapable—not capable.    -   inch—a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot.    -   including—including but not limited to.    -   initialize—to prepare something for use and/or some future        event.    -   install—to connect or set in position and prepare for use.    -   interconnect—to connect to one another.    -   interlock—to unite or join closely so as to substantially        restrict and/or prevent relative movement therebetween in at        least one direction.    -   length—a longest dimension of something and/or the measurement        of the extent of something along its greatest dimension.    -   less than—having a measurably smaller magnitude and/or degree as        compared to something else.    -   load—a substantial force.    -   located—situated in a particular spot and/or position.    -   longitudinal—of and/or relating to a length; placed and/or        running lengthwise.    -   longitudinal axis—a straight line defined parallel to an        object's length and passing through a centroid of the object.    -   major—relatively great in size or extent.    -   male—a structure adapted to extend and to be received by a        corresponding female structure.    -   material—a substance and/or composition.    -   may—is allowed and/or permitted to, in at least some        embodiments.    -   measure—(n) a quantity ascertained by comparison with a        standard. (v) to physically sense, and/or determine a value        and/or quantity of something relative to a standard.    -   metal—any of a category of electropositive elements that usually        have a shiny surface, are generally good conductors of heat and        electricity, and can be melted or fused, hammered into thin        sheets, or drawn into wires.    -   method—one or more acts that are performed upon subject matter        to be transformed to a different state or thing and/or are tied        to a particular apparatus, said one or more acts not a        fundamental principal and not pre-empting all uses of a        fundamental principal.    -   move—to change a position and/or place.    -   not—a negation of something.    -   open—not closed.    -   orthogonal—perpendicular.    -   overlap—to extend over and cover a part of    -   pair—a quantity of two of something.    -   parallel—of, relating to, or designating lines, curves, planes,        and/or or surfaces everywhere equidistant and/or an arrangement        of components in an electrical circuit that splits an electrical        current into two or more paths.    -   partially—to a degree, but not necessarily totally.    -   perpendicular—intersecting at and/or forming a substantially        right angle.    -   plurality—the state of being plural and/or more than one.    -   precast—molded and/or cast at a prior time.    -   predetermined—established in advance.    -   project—to calculate, estimate, or predict.    -   provide—to furnish, supply, give, and/or make available.    -   receive—to get, take, acquire, and/or obtain.    -   recommend—to suggest, praise, commend, and/or endorse.    -   rectangular—defined by four substantially right angles.    -   reinforce—to give added strength and/or support.    -   request—to express a desire for and/or ask for.    -   requirement—a documented necessity, mandatory specification,        and/or prerequisite condition.    -   rod—an elongated structure having a cross-section taken        perpendicular to its longitudinal axis that is substantially        elliptical and/or circular shaped.    -   rounded—having a surface that is curved, arced, and/or not flat.    -   satisfy—to fulfill, carry out, effect, and/or complete.    -   select—to make a choice or selection from alternatives.    -   separate—(n) distinct; (v) to disunite, space, set, or keep        apart and/or to be positioned intermediate to.    -   separation—removal, disengagment, and/or substantial        displacement.    -   set—a related plurality.    -   slot—a narrow opening and/or aperture; and/or an opening having        a longer length than a width of the opening.    -   structure—a device.    -   substantially—to a considerable, large, and/or great, but not        necessarily whole and/or entire, extent and/or degree.    -   sufficient—to a degree necessary to achieve a predetermined        result.    -   support—to bear the weight of, especially from below.    -   surface—the outer boundary of an object and/or a material layer        constituting and/or resembling such a boundary.    -   system—a collection of mechanisms, devices, machines, articles        of manufacture, processes, data, and/or instructions, the        collection designed to perform one or more specific functions.    -   terminate—to end.    -   thickness—a dimension through an object.    -   through—in one side and out the opposite or another side of,        across, among, and/or between.    -   top—an uppermost point.    -   traffic—a flow of vehicles and/or pedestrians.    -   traffic separating median—a strip and/or space that divides,        segregates, and/or sets apart opposing lanes of vehicles and/or        pedestrians.    -   transform—to change in measurable: form, appearance, nature,        and/or character.    -   transition—to pass, change, convert, and/or transform from one        place and/or state to another.    -   T-shaped—shaped to resemble the upper case letter T.    -   tube—an elongate member having a longitudinal axis and defining        a longitudinal cross-section resembling any substantially closed        shape such as, for example, a circle, a non-circle such as an        oval (which generally can include a shape that is substantially        in the form of an obround, ellipse, limacon, cardioid, cartesian        oval, and/or Cassini oval, etc), and/or a polygon such as a        triangle, rectangle, square, parallelogram, rhomboid, pentagon,        hexagon, the shape of the letter “D”, the shape of the letter        “P”, etc. Thus, a right circular cylinder is one form of a tube,        an elliptic cylinder is another form of a tube having an        elliptical longitudinal cross-section, and a generalized        cylinder is yet another form of a tube.    -   uniform—non-varying.    -   vehicle—any type of land surface mobile transport, such as a        car, motorcycle, truck, trailer, bus, tram, scooter, bicycle,        ATV, golf cart, unmanned vehicle, robot, taxiing airplane, etc.    -   vertical—substantially perpendicular to horizontal.    -   via—by way of and/or utilizing.    -   web—a substantially rectangular plate.    -   when—at a time.    -   wherein—in regard to which; and; and/or in addition to.    -   width—a measurement of the extent of something along an, often        substantially horizontal, dimension.    -   with respect to—in relation to.    -   within—inside.

Note

Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplaryembodiments of the claimed subject matter, are described herein,textually and/or graphically, including the best mode, if any, known tothe inventors for carrying out the claimed subject matter. Variations(e.g., modifications and/or enhancements) of one or more embodimentsdescribed herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in theart upon reading this application. The inventors expect skilled artisansto employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend forthe claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specificallydescribed herein. Accordingly, as permitted by law, the claimed subjectmatter includes and covers all equivalents of the claimed subject matterand all improvements to the claimed subject matter. Moreover, everycombination of the above described elements, activities, and allpossible variations thereof are encompassed by the claimed subjectmatter unless otherwise clearly indicated herein, clearly andspecifically disclaimed, or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate one or moreembodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of any claimedsubject matter unless otherwise stated. No language in the specificationshould be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter asessential to the practice of the claimed subject matter.

Thus, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g., title, field,background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) ofthis application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, such as viaexplicit definition, assertion, or argument, or clearly contradicted bycontext, with respect to any claim, whether of this application and/orany claim of any application claiming priority hereto, and whetheroriginally presented or otherwise:

-   -   there is no requirement for the inclusion of any particular        described or illustrated characteristic, function, activity, or        element, any particular sequence of activities, or any        particular interrelationship of elements;    -   no characteristic, function, activity, or element is        “essential”;    -   any elements can be integrated, segregated, and/or duplicated;    -   any activity can be repeated, any activity can be performed by        multiple entities, and/or any activity can be performed in        multiple jurisdictions; and    -   any activity or element can be specifically excluded, the        sequence of activities can vary, and/or the interrelationship of        elements can vary.

The use of the terms “a”, “an”, “said”, “the”, and/or similar referentsin the context of describing various embodiments (especially in thecontext of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both thesingular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearlycontradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,”and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning“including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted.

Moreover, when any number or range is described herein, unless clearlystated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. Recitation ofranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthandmethod of referring individually to each separate value falling withinthe range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate valueand each separate subrange defined by such separate values isincorporated into the specification as if it were individually recitedherein. For example, if a range of 1 to 10 is described, that rangeincludes all values therebetween, such as for example, 1.1, 2.5, 3.335,5, 6.179, 8.9999, etc., and includes all subranges therebetween, such asfor example, 1 to 3.65, 2.8 to 8.14, 1.93 to 9, etc.

When any claim element is followed by a drawing element number, thatdrawing element number is exemplary and non-limiting on claim scope. Noclaim of this application is intended to invoke paragraph six of 35 USC112 unless the precise phrase “means for” is followed by a gerund.

Any information in any material (e.g., a United States patent, UnitedStates patent application, book, article, etc.) that has beenincorporated by reference herein, is only incorporated by reference tothe extent that no conflict exists between such information and theother statements and drawings set forth herein. In the event of suchconflict, including a conflict that would render invalid any claimherein or seeking priority hereto, then any such conflicting informationin such material is specifically not incorporated by reference herein.

Accordingly, every portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary,description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this application, otherthan the claims themselves, is to be regarded as illustrative in nature,and not as restrictive, and the scope of subject matter protected by anypatent that issues based on this application is defined only by theclaims of that patent.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising a plurality of substantiallysolid, elongated, steel bar reinforced, precast, concrete, vehiculartraffic-separating barriers of the type that are configured to, whenphysically interconnected, rely solely on substantiallyhorizontally-oriented friction forces to resist lateral movement of eachbarrier from the plurality of barriers with respect to abarrier-supporting surface, the friction forces arising between thebarrier-supporting surface and a bottom surface of each barrier from theplurality of barriers, each barrier from the plurality of barrierscomprising: a barrier body comprised of an substantially solid,elongated, steel bar reinforced, precast, concrete material, saidbarrier body defining a body length of approximately 12 feet as measuredalong a longitudinally extending direction, a body width definedorthogonal to said body length, and a body height defined orthogonal tosaid body length and said body width, said barrier body terminating in afirst barrier end region and a second barrier end region, said firstbarrier end region comprising a steel female interlocking structureattached to said barrier body, said second barrier end region comprisinga steel male interlocking structure attached to said barrier body by aplurality of reinforcing bars having a length from approximately 2 feetto approximately 2.5 feet; said female interlocking structure comprisinga substantially open-ended tube having a longitudinal axis extendingsubstantially parallel to said body height, said tube defining a slothaving a slot width substantially parallel to said body width and havinga slot height substantially parallel to said body height; said maleinterlocking structure comprising a web having a web thickness extendingsubstantially parallel to said slot width and measuring less than saidslot width, said web extending from said second barrier end region in adirection substantially parallel to said body length and attached to aflange having a longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to alongitudinal axis of said web and a major surface extendingsubstantially perpendicular to a major surface of said web, said flangehaving a flange width greater than said slot width; a plurality ofinterconnecting rods, each of said interconnecting rods connected toeach of said interlocking structures and extending longitudinallythrough said barrier body; and a first plurality of interlock anchorrods, each of said first plurality of interlock anchor rodsinterconnecting with one of said interlocking structures and extendingin said longitudinally extending direction a distance of at leastdiameters of said interconnecting rods; wherein: each of said firstplurality of interlock anchor rods overlapping an adjacent one of saidinterlock anchor rods by a distance of at least diameters of saidinterlock anchor rods; said precast, steel bar reinforced, concretematerial has a minimum compressive strength of approximately 4,000 psi;each of said first barrier end region and said second barrier end regiondefines a corresponding end face that transitions to a top face of saidbarrier body via a corresponding chamfered intersection; each end faceof said barrier body transitions to a longitudinally extending rightface of said barrier body via a corresponding chamfered intersection;each end face of said barrier body transitions to a longitudinallyextending left face of said barrier body via a corresponding chamferedintersection; each end face of said barrier body transitions to thebottom surface of said barrier body via a corresponding chamferedintersection; said web and said flange interconnect to form a devicehaving a T-shaped longitudinal cross-section; a length of said maleinterlocking structure, measured parallel to said body height, is lessthan 50 percent of said body height; in an operative arrangement, a topof said female interlocking structure is positioned below a top of saidbarrier body; in an operative arrangement, a bottom of said femaleinterlocking structure is positioned approximately 10 inches above abottom of said barrier body; for any substantially identical andadjacent pair of barriers from the plurality of barriers: a longitudinalaxis of a barrier body of a first barrier from said pair is configuredto be angled vertically by at least 3 degrees to approximately 4 degreeswith respect to a longitudinal axis of the barrier body of a secondadjacent barrier from said pair when the male interlocking structure ofsaid first barrier is interlocked with the female interlocking structureof said second barrier by the web of said first barrier extendingthrough the slot of said second barrier and the flange of said firstbarrier is located within the tube of said second barrier; when saidmale interlocking structure of said first barrier is not interlockedwith said female interlocking structure of said second barrier, saidmale interlocking structure operatively configured to resistinter-engaging with said female interlocking structure of said secondbarrier when subjected to substantial relative movement between saidfirst barrier and said second barrier in any direction other than asubstantially vertical direction; when said male interlocking structureof said first barrier is interlocked with said female interlockingstructure of said second barrier, said male interlocking structureoperatively configured to resist disengaging from said femaleinterlocking structure of said second barrier when subjected tosubstantial relative movement between said first barrier and said secondbarrier in any direction other than a substantially vertical direction;in an operable arrangement, said flange of said male interlockingstructure of said first barrier is configured to enter and exit saidtube of said female interlocking structure of said second barrier onlyvia a substantially vertical relative motion between said maleinterlocking structure of said first barrier and said femaleinterlocking structure of said second barrier; and when saidsubstantially identical pair of said barriers are operativelyinterlocked, facing end faces of said barriers are configured to beseparated by between approximately 1.5 inches and approximately 2 incheswhen the pair of said barriers are pulled apart from each other as faras operably possible; and in an operative arrangement, said plurality ofbarriers is configured to form a curve in a substantially horizontalplane, that curve having, a minimum radius of approximately 50 feet toapproximately 85 feet.
 2. A traffic separating median barrier accordingto claim 1, wherein: said tube is at least partially embedded in saidconcrete material.
 3. A traffic separating median barrier according toclaim 1, wherein: said web height is substantially equivalent to saidslot height.
 4. A traffic separating median barrier according to claim1, wherein: said male interlocking structure extends less than 18 inchesin a direction parallel to said body height.
 5. A traffic separatingmedian barrier according to claim 1, wherein: said female interlockingstructure extends less than 18 inches in a direction parallel to saidbody height.
 6. A traffic separating median barrier according to claim1, wherein: said male interlocking structure of said first barrier isoperatively configured to non-destructively inter-engage with, andnon-destructively disengage from, said female interlocking structure ofsaid second barrier only via a substantially vertical relative movementbetween said first barrier and said second barrier.
 7. A trafficseparating median barrier according to claim 1, wherein: said length ofsaid male interlocking structure, measured parallel to said body height,is greater than 20 percent of said body height.
 8. A traffic separatingmedian barrier according to claim 1, wherein: a length of said femaleinterlocking structure, measured parallel to said body height, is lessthan said body height.
 9. A traffic separating median barrier accordingto claim 1, wherein: said tube defines a first pair of opposing sidewalls and a second pair of opposing side walls, each of said first pairof side walls defining a corresponding substantially planar major outersurface oriented substantially parallel to said body width andsubstantially perpendicular to said body length, said slot definedthrough one sidewall from said first pair of sidewalls.